3. Discussion on update to Fire Chief job descriptionjtw;
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SCANDIA
Staff Report
Date of Meeting: June 6, 2018
To: City Council
From: Neil Soltis, Administrator
Re: Draft Fire Chief Job description
Background: At the May 15 meeting Resolution 05-15-18-09 was passed providing for increased
compensation for the Fire Chief to perform up to 24 hours per week of administrative work at an
hourly rate of $28.85 per hour and continue to be paid an hourly rate of $14.33 for responding to
calls for service. Based on this change in duties a job description has been drafted to better identify
and duties and responsibilities of the Fire Chief and to segregate which duties will be performed
based on the administrative and response rates of pay.
A draft of the job description follows this cover. There should be discussion regarding the position
and the listed duties and responsibilities.
Any changes will be incorporated into a final version to be discussed at the Council meeting on June
19th.
Scandia Fire & Rescue
Volunteer Fire Chief
Position Description
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
Performs a variety of technical, administrative, and supervisory duties in planning,
organizing, directing and implementing fire prevention, suppression and emergency
medical services to prevent or minimize the loss of life and property by fire and
emergency medical conditions.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED
Works under the general guidance and direction of the Mayor and City Council.
SUPERVISION EXERCISED
Supervises the Department Officers, (Volunteer Assistant Fire Chiefs, Volunteer
Captains, Engineer) and Volunteer Fire Fighters.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
• Plans, coordinates, supervises and evaluates Fire and EMS operations.
• Establishes policies and procedures for the department in order to implement
directives from the Mayor and City Council.
• Plans and implements Fire and EMS programs for the City in order to better carry
out City policies and goals.
• Maintains policies and supervises the discipline and conduct and general behavior of
supervised personnel.
• Reviews departmental performance and effectiveness; formulates programs or
policies to alleviate deficiencies.
• Supervises and coordinates the preparation and presentation of an annual budget.
Directs the implementation of the Departments' budgets; plans for and reviews
specifications for new or replaced equipment. Controls the expenditure of
departmental appropriations.
• Responds to alarms and may direct activities at the scene of major emergencies.
• Supervises the inspection of buildings and other properties for fire hazards and
enforces fire prevention ordinances.
• Directs and or supervises the operation of departmental in-service training activities.
• Submits monthly reports of the Departments activities and prepares a variety of
other reports as appropriate including the annual report of activities.
• Plans departmental operation and makes recommendations to the Council with
respect to equipment, apparatus, and personnel; supervises the implementation of
such plans.
• Assigns personnel and equipment to such duties and uses as the service requires;
evaluates the need for and recommends the purchase of new equipment and
supplies.
Volunteer Fire Chief Job Description
Approved by City Council 5/19/09
PERIPHERAL DUTIES
• Meets with elected or appointed officials, other Fire/EMS officials, community and
business representatives and the public on all aspects of the Departments' activities.
• Attends conferences and meetings to keep abreast of current trends in the field;
represents the City Fire/EMS Departments in a variety of local, county, state and
other meetings.
• Performs the duties of command personnel as needed and fulfills obligations during
duty days or duty weeks.
• Serves as a member of various city and department committees.
UALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience:
• Graduation from high school or GED equivalent.
• Four (4) years prior work experience of a progressively responsible nature in fire
fighting and prevention and emergency medical services.
• Four (4) years supervisory experience. Fire service supervision preferred.
• FFI & FFII State of MN Certified
• First Responder Certified, EMT preferred
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILTIES
• Thorough knowledge of fire suppression and prevention and emergency medical
services principles, procedures, techniques, and equipment
• Working knowledge of first aid and resuscitation techniques and their application as
demonstrated through State Medical Certification
• Considerable knowledge of applicable laws, ordinances, departmental standard
operating procedures and regulations
• Skill in the operation of listed tools and equipment.
• Ability to train and supervise subordinate personnel
• Ability to perform work requiring good physical condition
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing
• Ability to exercise sound judgment in evaluating situations and in making decisions
• Ability to effectively give and receive verbal and written instructions
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other
employees, supervisors and the public
• Ability to meet the special requirements listed below
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
• Must be eighteen (18) years of age or older at time of hire and residing or employed
within a fifteen minute response time to the City of Scandia Fire Station
• Must possess a valid State Driver's license
• No felony convictions or disqualifying criminal histories within the past seven years
• Ability to read and write the English language
• Ability to meet Departmental physical standards
Volunteer Fire Chief Job Description 2
Approved by City Council 5/19/09
TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED
Emergency medical aid unit; fire apparatus, fire pumps, hoses, and other standard
firefighting equipment, ladders, first aid equipment, radio, pager, personal computer,
phone.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by
an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable
accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the
essential functions.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to sit; talk or hear;
stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or operate objects, tools, or controls; and
reach with hands and arms.
• The employee is required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and
taste or smell.
• The employee must lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or
move up to 100 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color
vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an
employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable
accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the
essential functions.
• Work is performed primarily in office, vehicles, and outdoor settings, in all weather
conditions, including temperature extremes, during day and night shifts.
• Work is often performed in emergency and stressful situations. Individual is exposed
to hearing alarms and hazards associated with fighting fires and rendering
emergency medical assistance, including smoke, noxious odors, fumes, chemicals,
liquid chemicals, solvents and oils.
• The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts and in high,
precarious places and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions,
fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, risk of electrical shock, and
vibration.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet in office settings, and loud at
an emergency scene.
Volunteer Fire Chief Job Description 3
Approved by City Council 5/19/09
CITY OF SCANDIA, MINNESOTA
POSITION DESCRIPTION
TITLE: FIRE CHIEF
STATUS: Administrative - Part-time (24 -hours/ week) regular position
EMS & Fire Response — Paid -on-call
FLSA Non -Exempt — 28 day work period
REPORTS TO: City Council
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
This Fire Chief is responsible for delivering an effective program of fire prevention, inspection,
protection and suppression services. The Fire Chief leads and manages a paid -on-call staff in providing
response to a wide range of emergency, rescue, and medical response incidents. In addition to field
response, this position is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the department's administration,
including management of personnel, budget, equipment, training, and community outreach. This
position also acts as the City's Fire Marshall and the City's Emergency Management Coordinator. This
position reports to the City Council and works collaboratively with members of the city's leadership
team on a variety of city-wide issues.
SUPERVISION OF OTHERS
The Fire Chief Department supervises all Department Officers and Paid -on-call Fire Fighters.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Emergency Response
• Responds to fire, rescue and medical emergency calls and direct firefighters at scene;
determine level of response required and coordinate response with other agencies.
• Assigns personnel and equipment to such duties and uses as the service requires;
• Provides effective and prompt fire prevention, suppression, and rescue services.
Administrative & Fire Prevention
• Establishes and maintains written policies, goals and objectives designed to provide high-
quality, cost-effective fire prevention and suppression services to residents and businesses
within the service area.
• Develops long-range plans for acquisition, maintenance and restoration of firefighting
equipment and facilities for incorporation into the Capital Improvement Plan. Implements
approved plans within the designated timeline and budget.
• Develops and maintains Emergency Operations Plan and Continuity of Operations Plan
Working draft of Fire Chief Job Description
• Leads ongoing evaluation of services and develop recommendations for their improvement.
• Works collaboratively as part of the city's leadership team to ensure the most effective and
efficient delivery of municipal services as a whole.
• Prepares monthly statistical reports and effectiveness metrics for department improvement
and distribution to the City Council. Attends City Council meetings.
• Seeks to reduce city and township ISO ratings.
• Administers and oversees all aspects of Fire Department budget.
• Directly supervises assistant chiefs and officers.
• Manages firefighting personnel, including planning, recruitment, training, assignments,
performance evaluation and discipline in accordance with City policies.
• Sets annual training requirements and objectives.
• Recruits and trains new firefighters and officers as necessary.
• Administers on-going program for the maintenance of all facilities, vehicles and fire equipment
for compliance with regulations.
• Enforces state and local fire codes.
• Recommends ordinance changes to establish effective fire inspection and prevention programs
• Prepares fire plans for all commercial, industrial, institutional and other similar type buildings
and inspects annually
• Inspects existing businesses, multi -family and townhome dwelling units to ensure compliance
with the International Fire Code as required; responds to complaints and issues corrective
orders when appropriate.
• Develops and implements fire prevention programs and education at various levels, age groups
and venues.
• Maintains cost-sharing agreement with adjacent township.
• Participates in external meetings, seminars and trainings designed to keep informed of recent
trends in the field, industry best practices, and new technologies.
• Represents the department at a variety of regularly scheduled and special city meetings,
community events, and workshops.
• Establishes and maintains effective collaborative working relationships with City leadership,
Townships, County, and other emergency service agencies and organizations.
Working draft of Fire Chief Job Description 2
• Participates as a member of various city and department committees
• Performs other work as directed by the City Council.
REQUIREMENTS
• Graduation from high school or GED equivalent.
• Four (4) years prior work experience in firefighting and prevention and emergency medical
services in a supervisory capacity.
• Must reside or be employed within an eight minute response time to the City of Scandia Fire
Station.
• No disqualifying criminal histories within the past seven years.
• Ability to meet Departmental physical standards.
• Possesses a valid driver's license and Firefighter I and II, and EMT certifications.
• Ability to maintain Minnesota Firefighters and EMT Licenses.
• Participates in NIMS training up to ICS -300 within 1 year of appointment.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILTIES
• Working knowledge of state and local fire codes and modern fire suppression and prevention
activities.
• Thorough knowledge of emergency medical services principles, procedures, techniques, and
equipment.
• Skill in the operation of Departmental tools and equipment.
• Ability to effectively and consistently supervise, motivate, develop and discipline staff.
• Ability to respond as a leader and make command decisions in emergencies requiring the use of
sound judgment and decisive actions.
• Ability to plan and develop organizational goals and objectives, take initiative, facilitate
organizational change and communicate goals and objectives to department personnel, elected
officials, and the general public.
• Ability to support department recommendations within a context of objective analytical data
and justifiable cost.
Working draft of Fire Chief Job Description 3
• Ability to work successfully under stress, pressure and changing conditions. Ability to evaluate
situations, innovate, improvise as necessary, and adapt in a timely fashion.
• Ability to communicate directions, policies, laws, explanations and recommendations clearly,
both orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with department heads, other
employees, other emergency service providers, public officials and the general public.
• Ability to maintain a high level of integrity and ethical performance at all times for all members
of the department, including self.
TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED
Emergency medical aid unit; fire apparatus, fire pumps, hoses, and other standard firefighting
equipment, ladders, first aid equipment, radio, pager, personal computer, phone.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to
successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to
enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to sit; talk or hear; stand;
walk; use hands to finger, handle, or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands
and arms.
• The employee is required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell.
• The employee must lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to
100 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision,
peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee
encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be
made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Hours of work will extend beyond normal office hours, including meetings, response to fire
calls, and community events.
• Administrative work is performed primarily in office, Emergency response work is primarily
performed in vehicles, and outdoor settings, in all weather conditions, including temperature
extremes, during day and night shifts.
• Work is often performed in emergency and stressful situations. Individual is exposed to hearing
alarms and hazards associated with fighting fires and rendering emergency medical assistance,
including smoke, noxious odors, fumes, chemicals, liquid chemicals, solvents and oils.
Working draft of Fire Chief Job Description 4
• The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts and in high, precarious places
and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic
or caustic chemicals, risk of electrical shock, and vibration.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet in office settings, and loud at an
emergency scene.
• Must be able to work for long periods of time, requiring sustained physical activity, intense
concentration and the ability to make decisions under pressure.
• This position will interact with citizens and staff in high -stress, emotional situations and will be
required to make command decisions in potentially life-threatening situations.
Working draft of Fire Chief Job Description 5